Garlic Tea
It’s back to school time here at the Perkins’ household and you know what that means? Besides the standard earlier bedtimes, new spelling lists, and tales of ball tag, we’re also saying hello to the annual influx of unwelcome germs encountered in the classroom and late summer ragweed pollen blowing in the wind. Sneezing abounds. Eyes tear up. Noses run. You get the picture.
To combat this miserableness, we eat our veggies and limit sugar intake, take fish oil and drink green smoothies. And we also drink a little something we like to call “Garlic Tea.”
Dan introduced me to this simple drink of garlic and hot water years ago, and at first I tried quashing the flavor by combining the garlic with a tea bag (Passion Garlic tea, anyone?) or adding honey. Eventually, however, I surrendered myself to what I now consider a savory drink (kind of like choosing a Bloody Mary over a margarita, maybe? Speaking of, anyone know of a garlic-infused cocktail?)
For real though, when I start to feel those cold symptoms coming on, I drink cup after cup of garlic tea. I also try to rest, but that’s much more challenging. Even if you don’t have a cold coming on, there are plenty of other reasons to drink garlic tea, like those listed here in 39 Health Benefits of Garlic: Plus Nutritional Benefits of Garlic.
From Farmer Dan: Hardneck garlic is higher in the allicin or organosulphur compounds; this is the actual compound you smell in “garlic breath”. Allicin has significant antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antiprotozoal activity. To solve the garlic breath problem, either have everyone drink and eat garlic OR chew parsley or fennel seeds right after having garlic–no more garlic breath. Gum helps too!
Isn’t a worth a try, friends? All you have to do is crush 1 clove Perkins’ Good Earth Farm garlic with the base of a knife. Peel the clove, place it in your favorite (or perhaps garlic-designated?) tea cup, and cover with 8 ounces hot water. Let the drink steep for 5 minutes before drinking. Enjoy!